Thread Veins

Project Description

What are thread veins?

Thread veins, also known as spider veins, are tiny prominent veins just below the skin surface and are very common – affecting around 80% of adults – occurring anywhere on the body but most often on the legs and face. These tiny veins are blood vessels in the superficial layer of skin which have broken and become visible. They do not typically pose any cause for concern, although they can sometimes feel hot and itchy, and due to their appearance procedures to remove thread veins are largely for cosmetic purposes only.

Treatment

Microsclerotherapy is the most common/effective treatment for thread veins and involves using a very fine needle to inject a chemical into the vein, causing it to seal itself shut and fade. This procedure is done without anaesthetic using VeinLite, and with appointments taking 45 minutes or less allows patients to return to their normal activities immediately. Sometimes veins may need more than one treatment and these are spaced out over four to six weeks to allow the original treatment time to work. Microslerotherapy for thread veins is very effective with very few side effects.

Further Information

To the right are information leaflets and links to further information

LOCATION

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About Us

Mr Birchley trained at the Royal London Hospital and was appointed as a Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust in 2010. All of the data relating to Mr Birchley’s major vascular work is submitted to national databases at NHS Choices and the Vascular Services Quality Improvement Programme, where the published outcomes are available to review.